Toothpaste is never just toothpaste, a dress is never just a dress, a car is never just a car in those economies where consumers have demand for a variety of options and the ability to consume a selection of products and services. There are several economic principles at play including demand, customer satisfaction, consumer choices and the income effect.

Products in countries where the average consumer has minimal disposable income such as in 3rd world or emerging countries have demand curves with a small range of elasticity. Meaning the range in price a consumer is willing and able to pay for a particular product is relatively small. There simply is no incentive to provide products that consumers aren't wailing and able to pay for. In developed countries where consumers have a higher disposable income the demand for a variety of products and services is much greater. The elasticity of the...
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